Heavy Rock Pizzaria, Rio de Janeiro

In a neighborhood famed for its samba, hip hop and Brazilian funk, Heavy Rock Pizzeria certainly stands out from the crowd. Harley Davidson motorbikes sit at the entrance to the bar-restaurant, as their bearded, black-clad owners prop up the bar inside, enjoying cold beers and crispy-based pizzas. While the food is decent and fairly-priced, the real draw here is the music—rock is something of a neglected genre in Rio. The skull and crossbone motifs that adorn the wall are a pretty good indicator of the musical selection: think Metallica and Brazilian rockers Sepultura rather than lightweight indie rock. The venue serves as a meeting place for like-minded rockers and makes an interesting alternative to the plethora of samba clubs and bars in Lapa. There are regular live music events and Battle of the Bands events, and the cocktails and bar snacks are good too. - Lucy Bryson

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